Cyclist groups have raised concerns about a popular initiative run by Ealing Council over cycling infrastructure in Southall.

Let's Ride Southall is a programme promoting cycling to residents living in the area by giving away 1000 bikes as well as free bike riding lessons to people of all skill levels.

The unique initiative is being delivered using £1.2 million funding from Sport England in an attempt to transform Southall, which has the highest rates of vehicle ownership in Ealing. Most recently, The leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Peter Mason and Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for thriving communities, visited Villiers High School in Southall during the school's active travel week to give away 10 new bikes to pupils.

While local cyclist groups say they have welcomed the project, they have raised some concerns about road safety in the town in light of the new changes. Simon Munk from London Cyclist Campaign said: "Giving away free bikes to people who need them is laudable – indeed, LCC recently worked in Enfield with Londra Bisiklet Kulubu to give away bikes there. But suggesting that 'Ealing is leading the way in active travel,' as council leader Peter Mason recently did on the back of this initiative ignores many other barriers to cycle use in Ealing and overstates Ealing's current standing in London on active travel delivery."

Simon adds: "Not owning a bicycle is far from the only issue keeping most people in Southall from cycling – the lack of safe cycling routes in the area and across Ealing is a huge issue, that Ealing Council is currently failing to act rapidly on. 

"LCC has released a report on progress in every London borough on delivery of schemes that reduce car use and enable alternatives, that asks on Ealing 'What will the new administration actually do to move forward not back in a borough where already over one-third of households have no car or van? From our local group's tracking of activity, the answers so far are not promising.'"

Martin Gorst from Ealing Cycling is also concerned that there are currently not enough safe routes in Southall: "The lack of safe cycling routes in the area is a huge issue. The council has just released plans to improve active travel infrastructure in parts of Southall but, at first sight, they are not encouraging. They include a lot of shared-use footways, where cyclists and pedestrians will be expected to share the same space. 

"This is not comfortable for either pedestrians or cyclists, and goes against Department for Transport guidance that says: 'On urban streets, cyclists must be physically separated from pedestrians and should not share space with pedestrians.'

"There is also a lack of cycle parking in the area. It is two years since the new Southall Station was completed but it still has no cycle parking. The council has recently announced plans to install some stands about 90 metres south of the station, but it would have been better located right next to the station, as we suggested back in 2013."

Ealing Council has been contacted for comment.

Concern over safe cycle routes has been answered by the council in the past with Councillor Josh Blacker, cabinet member for healthy lives, saying alongside the initiative the council is investing £10m into new cycle lanes, school streets and bike hangers as well as to revamped canal towpaths and road and pathway repairs.

As part of the programme, Ealing Council has given away 281 free bikes to children and adults in Southall and is planning to give away over 700 more. That's a total of 1,000 free bikes (both new and recycled) in the next year.

Overall the scheme intends to give away up to 2,500 adult and children's bicycles to individuals and families who sign-up to cycle training and join the Southall movement. This will consist approximately of a mixture of 1500 brand new bicycles and 1000 fully repaired and recycled second-hand bicycles, with  35 bespoke bicycles for those with disabilities also being provided.

To be eligible for a free bike applicants must :

• Live or work within an eligible postcode area (UB1 and UB2 – We will need a proof of address dated within the last three months).
• Confirm that on receiving a bicycle they agree to be an active member of Active Communities Team (ACT) Social Movement and its campaigns: You will be agreeing to be an active member who will join the teams in supporting Southall cycling initiative.
•  Not already own or have access to a roadworthy bike.
• Commit to cycle at least once a week in the first six months or return the bike if not.
• Make a personal cycling and storage plan or confirm their cycling proficiency.
• Agree to GPS monitoring of bike usage and take part in data collection.

If you are looking to apply you can find a link to the application form here.